FORMULA ONE DRIVER WORLD CHAMPIONS - THE GREATS
Nelson Piquet
Born Nelson Sautomaior, on August 17th 1952, he used his mother's surname Piquet to hide his early racing adventures from his disapproving father, he being a prominent Brazilian government minister, and he had been a regional tennis champion and when Nelson showed early promise in that sport he was encouraged by his father to pursue it. But, it was motor-racing that was in the heart of the young Brazilian, especially after countryman Emerson Fittipaldi started making inroads abroad. And so Nelson began racing in his home state of Brazilia, quickly winning various karting championship. He sold his road car to buy a Formula Vee and in 1977 became the Brazilian champion in that category.
With advice from Fittipaldi, Piquet went to Europe to further success by taking the record number of wins in Formula Three in 1978, defeating Jackie Stewart's all-time record.In the same year, he made his Formula One debut with the Ensign team. In 1979, Piquet moved to the Brabham team and finished runner-up in 1980, before winning his first Drivers Championship in 1981.
Piquet won his second Formula One Drivers World Championship in 1983.
He moved to the Williams team in 1986 and was a title contender right up to the final round in Australia.
Piquet took his third and final championship in 1987 during a heated battle with team-mate Nigel Mansell. Piquet subsequently moved to Lotus for 1988–89. Finally he went to the Benetton team for 1990-91 where he managed to win three races before retiring from the sport.
With advice from Fittipaldi, Piquet went to Europe to further success by taking the record number of wins in Formula Three in 1978, defeating Jackie Stewart's all-time record.In the same year, he made his Formula One debut with the Ensign team. In 1979, Piquet moved to the Brabham team and finished runner-up in 1980, before winning his first Drivers Championship in 1981.
Piquet won his second Formula One Drivers World Championship in 1983.
He moved to the Williams team in 1986 and was a title contender right up to the final round in Australia.
Piquet took his third and final championship in 1987 during a heated battle with team-mate Nigel Mansell. Piquet subsequently moved to Lotus for 1988–89. Finally he went to the Benetton team for 1990-91 where he managed to win three races before retiring from the sport.
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